The House of Representatives has urged the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oloyede, to release Bello Badejo, the president of Miyetti Allah, from alleged unlawful detention.
This resolution, adopted during plenary on Tuesday, followed a motion moved by Hon. Mansur Soro. Badejo was reportedly detained on December 9, 2024, in Maliya, Nasarawa State, by officers of the 177 Battalion in a military operation conducted without prior notice or a court order.
Hon. Soro expressed concern that over a week had passed since Badejo’s detention, yet no formal charges had been brought against him in court, violating his rights under Sections 34, 35, and 36 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The House condemned the military’s involvement in civil disputes, typically the jurisdiction of the police and judiciary. It also summoned Gen. Musa, Lt-Gen. Oloyede, and the 177 Battalion Commanding Officer to appear before the Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on December 20, 2024, to explain the legal basis for their actions.
Additionally, the lawmakers demanded an apology to Badejo for the infringement on his fundamental rights. This development has sparked a broader conversation about the military’s role in civilian matters and adherence to constitutional mandates.
